Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Isaiah 33

Here is a direct side-by-side comparison of the Masoretic Text with the LXX.  I have concluded that the LXX is much to be preferred over the Masoretic Text, a position from which the Eastern Orthodox Church never deviated. Perhaps, if you take the time to read my comparisons and other articles, you will arrive at the same conclusion.

The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

17 Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; They will behold a far-distant land. Isaiah 33:17 (NASB95)

17 You will see a king with glory; your eyes will see a land from afar. Isaiah 33:17 (LES2)

The king in glory is most certainly our Lord Jesus. The “land from afar” is very much like what the author of Hebrews wrote about the heavenly Jerusalem of the New Covenant.

13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13–16 (NASB95)

20 Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts; Your eyes will see Jerusalem, an undisturbed habitation, A tent which will not be folded; Its stakes will never be pulled up, Nor any of its cords be torn apart. 21 But there the majestic One, the LORD, will be for us A place of rivers and wide canals On which no boat with oars will go, And on which no mighty ship will pass— 22 For the LORD is our judge, The LORD is our lawgiver, The LORD is our king; He will save us— 23 Your tackle hangs slack; It cannot hold the base of its mast firmly, Nor spread out the sail. Then the prey of an abundant spoil will be divided; The lame will take the plunder. 24 And no resident will say, “I am sick”; The people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity. Isaiah 33:20–24 (NASB95)

20 Look, the city of Zion is our salvation! Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a wealthy city: tents that certainly will not be shaken; and the pegs of its tent will not be moved for eternal time, and its cord will certainly not be broken, 21 because the name of the Lord is great to you. There will be a place for you, rivers even two fathoms broad and spacious. You will not go this way, nor will a ship go driving along. 22 For my God is great; the Lord will not pass me by. The Lord is our judge; the Lord is our ruler; the Lord is our king; he will save us! 23 Your cords have broken because they did not grow strong; your mast bent over; it will not release the sails; it will not raise a signal until it is handed over for plunder. Accordingly, many who are lame will make plunder. 24 And surely the people who dwell in them shall not say, “I am weary,” for the sin has been forgiven them. Isaiah 33:20–24 (LES2)

In verse 20, there is a huge difference between calling Jerusalem / Zion “the city of our appointed feasts” in the MT and calling her “our salvation” in the LXX! The MT points to the Old Covenant, and the LXX to the New. It can only be said of the New Jerusalem that her stability will be for eternity. 

In verse 21, the MT says that “the Lord will be for us…”. The LXX says that because God’s name is great to “you. There will be a place for you.” The name of Jesus is above all other names. He is the Lord and will save us, even as verse 22 declares in both the MT and LXX.

Verses 23 and 24 are difficult to properly understand in context in both the MT and LXX. Perhaps the Paleo-Hebrew could not be properly understood.

Summary: This section, especially verses 17 and 20-22 point to Jesus and the New Covenant heavenly Jerusalem. The LXX is clearer in this regard.

petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 35 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and five amazing great grandchildren. He has written several books, including two that are available on Amazon - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles.

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